“The Listening Ear defines crisis as ‘any situation in which your normal coping mechanisms are ineffective or unavailable.’ Their free, confidential crisis center & hotline has been open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year since July 15, 1969, providing compassionate support for callers and walk-in clients from all walks of life. The all-volunteer staff participates in 65 hours of empathy-based training to help clients cope with difficulties including depression, grief, suicide, loneliness, sexual assault, and more. They also provide free sexual assault counseling, advocacy, and community education.

I volunteered as a crisis counselor from 2004-2006, so I can say from experience that the training program is second to none, and the staff is incredibly caring and dedicated. My experience with The Ear was easily one of the most highly educational experiences of my college career, and I’m very happy to be able to give back to an organization that directly improves (and often saves) lives.”